Chapter 3

Eileen and Lottie returned from the amusement park. As soon as they entered the room, they saw various toys piling up in the living room.

There was a teddy bear taller than Lottie, a delicate Barbie doll set, an electric toy car, and an entire Lego castle.

"Mr. Burton especially asked me to buy these toys," Kole said.

Lottie stood in front of the toys and had no joy on her face. "Where's Dad?"

"Mr. Burton is busy with other matters."

Lottie twisted the hem of her skirt with her fingers and said, "I just want Dad to be with me."

Eileen tried to comfort her. "Lottie, Dad cares about you, so he bought you these gifts. How about we start unpacking while we wait for him?"

She thought Greg was concerned about their feelings since he sent those gifts.

But he brought Rena back with him in the evening.

Lottie was drawing on the sofa when she saw Greg and immediately dropped her pencil and ran over. "Dad!"

She hugged Greg's leg tightly and raised her face with adoration.

Rena gazed at Eileen, who looked elegant, and Lottie, the beautifully cute girl.

They were exceptionally striking.

Even though she knew Greg kept them only for their blood, she felt like she was facing a formidable enemy.

She feigned friendliness and bent down. "What a cute little girl! Where's your real dad?"

Real dad?

So Lottie remembered that Greg was just pretending to be her father for a month.

Lottie's face instantly turned pale, and she subconsciously let go of Greg.

Greg noticed the change in Lottie's expression and felt an inexplicable irritation.

He patted Lottie's head to change the subject. "This lady is a friend of Dad's. She's not well and needs care, so she'll be staying here for a few days."

"Greg, I'm feeling faint." Rena suddenly clutched her forehead and leaned sideways.

"I'll take you upstairs to rest," Greg said, picking her up and striding toward the stairs.

Watching their retreating figures, Eileen pressed her lips tightly together.

She and Greg were in a contractual marriage, but they were indeed married.

Yet he brought Rena before them and let Lottie witness her father caring for another woman.

Eileen quickly looked at Lottie, who stood there still, and tears streamed down her face silently.

It was nine o'clock, time for a bedtime story.

Lottie lay on the bed, and her eyes were fixed on the doorway.

Half an hour passed, but Greg did not come in.

Seeing Lottie's completely dimmed expression, Eileen felt heartbroken. "Lottie, why don't we go back home?"

Lottie stubbornly shook her head and said, "No, Mom. I really like Dad. I want him to pick me up from kindergarten. Molly's dad is a police officer. He picks her up in uniform every day. It's so cool." Lottie said in a small voice, "I want other kids to see how handsome my dad is."

Eileen's tears suddenly flowed.

She knew how much Lottie longed for a father's love.

"Lottie, I'm sorry. It's my fault," Eileen said inwardly.

"How about I tell you a story?"

Lottie hugged the pillow, and her eyes were red. "The family sports day is in a few days. Will Dad be there with me?"

"He will," Eileen said firmly.

If he let them down again, she would leave with Lottie ahead of time.

She gently patted Lottie until the latter fell asleep.

Watching Lottie's furrowed brow even in sleep, Eileen got up to see Greg.

Eileen went to the study, and she noticed a wooden music box on the shelf.

It was the birthday gift she had bought for Greg back then, after she worked part-time for three months, handing out flyers in winter. Her hands were covered in frostbite.

Had he really kept it all the time?

Just then, Rena and Greg entered the study.

Following Eileen's gaze, Rena also noticed the music box. It seemed out of place in the study.

Over the years, besides Rena, only Eileen had dated Greg.

Rena clenched her fingers and said, "Greg, this couldn't be from Eileen, could it?"

"No," Greg said, picking up the music box. After a pause, he threw it into the trash.

The sound felt like it hit Eileen's heart.

She recalled that night. It was his birthday, and he had kissed her for the first time.

Eileen still remembered the heat of his lips and the fervent sex they had had.

In the passion, Greg had whispered her name and said he loved her.

Despite countless reminders that their relationship was only transactional, Eileen had fallen for him.

She thought she was like Cinderella and had one of her legs badly injured for that.

But now, Greg could discard her heartfelt gift without hesitation to prevent Rena from having any misunderstanding.

"What did you want to see me about?" Greg asked impatiently.

"It is the family sports day at kindergarten the day after tomorrow. Please be there on time," Eileen said, then left.

"Greg, it will be your last chance," Eileen said in her mind.

...

At four in the morning, Greg tossed and turned, and his mind echoed with Eileen's passionate whispers.

He felt restless, so he got up and went to the study. He retrieved the music box from the trash can.

"Eileen, you abandoned me for five million dollars. How foolish can you be?" Greg muttered, winding the music box.

"After my surgery next month, look into Eileen's situation over the years." He sent a text to Kole and then lay back on the sofa.

Listening to the piano melody he'd heard for five years, Greg gradually drifted off to sleep.